The moment my eyes landed on the delicate gold bracelet wrapped around Stephanie’s wrist, my breath hitched. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. I knew that bracelet. I had spent weeks searching for it, convinced it was lost forever. And now, there it was, right in front of me, dangling from the wrist of the nurse assigned to take care of me.
How was that possible?
Before I ended up in the hospital, life had been good. Not perfect, but good.
I had been married to Toby for three years. We had a simple, happy life. I worked as a consultant in a clothing store, while he had a stable job in finance. We weren’t rich, but we had enough to live comfortably.
Most nights, Toby came home exhausted. His job drained him, leaving little room for conversations about my day or his. But I never complained. I knew he was working hard for us.
One evening, we were sitting on the couch, his hand resting in mine.
“I can’t wait until we have our own place,” I murmured, imagining the house we had always talked about.
“Yeah,” he sighed. “I just need a little more time to save up. You know how expensive houses are right now.”
“I know,” I said with a small smile. “But when we finally get one, I want a big kitchen. And a backyard.”
“For a dog?” he teased.
“For a baby,” I corrected, grinning at him.
His expression softened, and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “We’ll get there.”
And I had believed him.
When he left for a work trip that Friday, I didn’t think much of it. His job required frequent travel, and I was used to being alone on weekends.
I decided to spend my time deep-cleaning the apartment.
I never expected that decision to change my life.
I was dusting the top shelf of the hallway closet when the ladder beneath me wobbled.
For a split second, I felt weightless. And then I crashed to the ground.
The pain was instant and excruciating. A sharp, searing agony shot through my right leg. I gasped, my vision blurring as I struggled to move. My body trembled as I reached for my phone, my fingers barely working as I dialed 911.
Minutes later, the paramedics arrived. The pain was unbearable as they lifted me onto the stretcher. I could hardly keep my eyes open as they wheeled me into the ambulance, sirens blaring in the background.
At the hospital, the X-ray confirmed what I already suspected. My leg was broken.
“You’ll need to stay here for a few days,” the doctor informed me as he wrapped my leg in a cast. “We need to monitor the swelling before we can discharge you.”
The moment he left, I grabbed my phone and called Toby.
He picked up immediately. “Kate? Hey! How’s my beautiful wife doing?”
“Toby,” I whispered. “I… I broke my leg.”
“What?” His tone changed instantly, panic setting in. “How? What happened?”
“I fell off a ladder while cleaning.”
“Jesus, Kate.” I heard rustling on the other end, like he was moving around. “I’m coming home. I’ll cut my trip short.”
“No, you don’t have to—”
“Don’t even argue. I should be there with you.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “Okay.”
I was still on the phone with him when the door opened and a nurse walked in.
I quickly told Toby I’d call him later and hung up.
“You must be Kate,” the nurse said warmly. “I’m Stephanie. I’ll be looking after you while you’re here.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, forcing a smile through my discomfort.
“Don’t you worry about a thing,” Stephanie assured me. “We’re going to take great care of you.”
She seemed kind. I had no idea she would shatter everything I thought I knew about my life.
Stephanie was wonderful at first. She checked on me regularly, adjusted my pillows, and even snuck me a better meal when I complained about hospital food.
One evening, she asked, “Do you have kids?”
“Not yet,” I admitted. “My husband and I want to buy a house first.”
“That’s smart,” she nodded. “Kids are expensive.”
“What about you?” I asked. “Are you married?”
She shook her head. “No, but there’s someone in my life. We’re dating. Nothing serious yet.”
“Do you think he’s the one?” I teased.
“Maybe,” she shrugged. “He’s great. The kind type. He’s been spoiling me lately.”
“That’s sweet,” I said. “It’s nice when someone makes you feel special.”
The next day, when Stephanie walked in, I noticed something on her wrist.
A bracelet.
Not just any bracelet. My bracelet. The delicate gold chain with a tiny heart charm. The one my grandmother had given me. The one I lost a month ago.
My stomach twisted as I saw the tiny engraving—a smiley face. My grandmother had it custom-made for me.
How was Stephanie wearing it?
My voice shook as I said, “That’s a beautiful bracelet. Where did you get it?”
Stephanie glanced at it and smiled. “My boyfriend gave it to me.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“That’s sweet,” I forced out. “When did he give it to you?”
“A month ago.”
My fingers tightened around the hospital blanket.
Memories flooded back.
I had been getting ready for a party when I noticed my bracelet was missing.
“Toby, have you seen my bracelet?” I asked, rummaging through drawers.
“You probably left it somewhere,” he replied.
“But it’s always in my jewelry box.”
He glanced at his watch. “Kate, we’re getting late. Just wear something else.”
His reaction had felt off at the time, but I let it go.
Now, as I stared at the bracelet on Stephanie’s wrist, everything clicked.
Toby had taken it.
And given it to her.
My hands shook as I grabbed my phone. I pulled up a picture of Toby and me from our anniversary and showed it to Stephanie.
“Is this your boyfriend?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Stephanie’s smile faltered. “How do you know him?”
I swallowed hard. “Because that’s my husband.”
Her eyes darted to the bracelet, then back to me. “Wh-what do you mean?”
“Toby is not just your boyfriend. He’s my husband. And that bracelet? It was mine before he stole it and gave it to you.”
Stephanie’s face drained of color. “No… he told me he was single! He never mentioned a wife!”
I almost laughed bitterly. “Of course, he didn’t.”
Her breathing grew uneven. Then, her expression hardened.
“We can make him confess when he comes here tonight,” I said. “Call the cops.”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.”
That evening, Toby arrived, worried and frantic.
Before he could speak, police officers entered.
“She says you stole her bracelet,” Stephanie said, pointing at me.
Toby’s face paled. “What?”
Silence hung thick in the air.
Then, he sighed. “Alright… I did it.”
I closed my eyes, relief washing over me.
I didn’t press charges. But I didn’t stay either.
Leaving Toby wasn’t easy. But staying would have been worse.
